How do you find employment?

Job openings will not find you. It is up to you to locate the job openings. The days of passively posting your resume on a job board and waiting for an employer to call are long gone.  So too are the days of scanning the newspaper and responding to want ads. Many employers require an on-line application and will not accept a hard copy of your resume. This means you must be proactive in your search and use every resource you can find.

Internet searches
This must be a "part" of your plan, but not the entire plan. The internet can be very useful in finding openings, but do not rely on job boards like monster.com or career builder. You will only find postings that were sent to them and there are some dubious postings on these sites as well. The same goes for craigslist. Though much more time consuming, visit the websites of companies you would like to work for or that you think may have positions in your job field. Many times this is the only place you will find these postings. A good place to start is with our web links.

Networking
You may hear this all the time, but what does it mean? Meeting people and establishing connections. The more professional people you know, the better chance of finding those "hidden" jobs. Get involved with community organizations, professional groups, social groups, volunteering, etc. Let the people in these groups know you are looking for employment and what your qualifications are. A referral generally goes a lot farther than an application from an unknown source.

Personal Visits
Instead of mailing, or emailing your resume, put on your interview attire and deliver it in person. Make sure you do this in the morning hours, not after sleeping in until noon.  Many managers are impressed with someone who shows up early in the morning with their resume and is ready to interview. Some employers may not be able to accept your resume in a hard copy form, but even if you have the chance to make a good first impression, get a feel for the business, and put names to faces. This will help when they do call you.

Finding that next job is not easy. You will be faced with many challenges and setbacks, but a dedicated and diverse approach will greatly improve your chances.

Be Effective With Your Resume

Writing an effective resume is paramount to landing job interviews. Your resume is the first demonstration of the quality of your work. If you quickly put together a resume and send it out, you will probably be disappointed in the results.

Your resume should do the following for the employer reading it:

1. Tell him/her what you want
2. Show that you have the skills/qualifications to match the job description
3. Create a desire to speak with you in person

To fulfill all of these objectives you first need to decide what format of resume is best suited for your situation. There are three basic types of resume: Chronological, Functional or Hybrid.

• Chronological - This format focuses on your work history. Generally, you will list your most recent work position, with a short list of duties, and go back in time. This type of resume is effective if you have significant work experience in the type of position you are applying for.
• Functional - This type focuses on your skills and potential, not your work history. Your skills can be learned anywhere: school, work, volunteering, etc. This format is most effective for those who are just out of school or changing careers.
• Hybrid - A combination of both the chronological and the functional. This is best for those who have some relevant work experience, but perhaps not a lot.

Examples of each format may be found on the Student Employment website.